Jannik Sinner receives Gentlemen's Singles Trophy from Catherine after Italian defends Wimbledon title

The Princess of Wales presented Jannik Sinner with the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy after he defended his Wimbledon title in an enthralling final this afternoon.

The world No1 triumphed 6-7(7), 7-6(2), 6-3, 6-4 against the second seed in a contest defined by powerful serving, Alexander Zverev's courageous efforts, and a fateful fall in the third set.

This victory marks Sinner's fifth Grand Slam victory.

As Catherine entered the court, wearing an elegant olive green dress and signature Wimbledon brooch, she shook hands with the young ball boys and girls.

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She first presented the runners-up trophy to Zverev, giving him consoling words after his spirited performance, which, in the end, fell just short.

"We came into Wimbledon never reaching the quarter-finals, and we've played our first Wimbledon final," he told the Centre Court crowd.

"At 29 years old, this is the first time that I believe I can actually win this trophy, so thanks to you (my team)."

The Princess of Wales then presented the coveted trophy to Sinner, offering her congratulations to the Italian.

Catherine had presented Sinner with the same trophy this time last year, after he defeated Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz to become the first-ever Italian to win at Wimbledon.

Sinner spoke admirably after he secured the defence of the prestigious tournament: "Sascha, I would like to start with you and your whole team and your family.

"You reached one of your main goals in winning Grand Slams... If you play like this, I'm very, very sure you're going to have this one at home as well.

"Amazing, keep going. I know the goal for you is to become No1 in the world — you're very, very close."

In the opening set, Zverev's first serve proved formidable, landing at 74 per cent, as both competitors held their own on serve to force a tiebreak – one in which the 29-year-old German came out on top.

Sinner returned in the second set – again, poised for a tie-break as neither player seemed willing to give up their serve – to narrowly win and level the final once more.

However, the match's decisive turning point arrived in the seventh game of the third set.

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Zverev, holding break point, slipped while attempting to retrieve a drop shot and appeared to hyperextend his right knee.

He remained on the ground momentarily, clutching his leg, before rising to continue.

The injury's impact became increasingly apparent on his service motion, preventing him from extending fully into his delivery.

A double fault followed, then a forehand drifted marginally long to offer Sinner an opportunity to break his serve – one in which he duly accepted to storm into the lead for the first time.

As the fourth set commenced with the clock passing 7pm, time pressure mounted with a potential roof closure looming.

Sinner has never won a match exceeding three hours and 50 minutes, yet it was Zverev who appeared more affected by the ticking clock.

The German resumed his aggressive forehand assault, firing three consecutive winners to reach deuce in Sinner's opening service game.

The champion responded magnificently in the seventh game, producing a superb lob followed by a commanding volley to earn the crucial break for a 4-3 advantage.

A penetrating return pushed Zverev deep, and a forehand winner sealed Sinner's triumph.

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